United States: Vaping declines among teenagers

Results from the Monitoring the Future 2023 (MTF) survey[1] highlight notable decreases in e-cigarette use among adolescents in the United States. The data show a decline in the prevalence of vaping products between 2022 and 2023, from 20.7 % to 16.9 % among 12th graders and from 14.2 % to 11.9% among 10th graders. However, use stagnates at 7% among 4th graders.^e.

The study also highlights that, despite the fact that e-cigarettes remain the most widely consumed nicotine products, there has been a decline in the consumption of these products as well as tobacco products. Fewer than 31% of school-aged adolescents reported using traditional cigarettes.

These results are consistent with those of the National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) that included nicotine products in the broad sense (e.g., vaping, nicotine pouches, etc.) published in early 2023, reinforcing the observed shift. The MTF survey also reports a significant increase in the perception of nicotine risks among middle and high school students, as well as a significantly greater disapproval of vaping in the recent period.

Consumption and accessibility of the product remain high, however.

Despite the decline in e-cigarette use among adolescents, it remains a serious threat to the public health of young people, according to the Truth Initiative. Daily consumption among 12th graders is 5.6 µg/l, 2.4 µg/l among 10th graders, and 1.4 µg/l among 8th graders, putting them at risk of lifelong nicotine addiction, according to Truth.

In addition, the survey also reveals that the perception of ease of access to vaping products remains high. More than 3 out of 4 high school seniors and more than half of middle school students consider it easy or very easy to obtain vaping products, data unchanged from the previous study.

Vaping cessation assistance programs for young people

Truth Initiative[2] welcomes the decline and calls for stronger protective measures for young people, including banning flavored products that are very popular with them. A recent study by Ohio State University indicated that 71% of young vapers said they would stop vaping if all non-tobacco e-cigarette flavors were banned.

Truth Initiative also continues to support youth-friendly quit programs such as This is Quitting, a free, anonymous, text-based vaping cessation program that offers evidence-based support. A randomized clinical trial published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that young adults ages 18 to 24 who used the program This is Quitting were nearly 40 times more likely to quit vaping than a control group. By helping more than 670,000 young people quit vaping, This is Quitting is the largest vaping cessation assistance program in the United States. In addition to directly reaching youth and young adults, it also provides tailored support to states and local communities to reach and help more youth quit vaping across the country.

Additionally, Truth's free digital curriculum, designed for middle and high school students, Vaping: Know the Truth, also has a significant impact. This program provides young people with information on the risks associated with using vaping products. More and more countries are implementing campaigns and support programs for young people to stop vaping.[3].

Keywords: Vaping, United States, adolescents, high school students, nicotine, e-cigarettes

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[1] Miech, RA, Johnston, LD, Patrick, ME, O'Malley, PM, & Bachman, JG (2023). Monitoring the Future national survey results on drug use, 1975–2023: Secondary school students. Monitoring the Future Monograph Series. Ann Arbor, MI: Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan. Available at https://monitoringthefuture.org/results/annual-reports/

[2] Press release, 2023 Monitoring the Future Survey Shows Encouraging Declines in Youth E-Cigarette Use and Increased Risk Perception Among High Schoolers, published December 14, 2023, accessed January 3, 2024

[3] David Briggs, Board's pilot project reduces vaping on campus, Bay Today, published November 22, 2023, accessed January 3, 2024